Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd by Shinjiro Heshiki

Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd by Shinjiro Heshiki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àiteachan Taobh a-staigh agus Taisbeanaidh Competition Category.

UmhaTaobh a-staigh· 2026

Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd

by Shinjiro Heshiki

Client: Runva Company Inc.

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Taobh a-staigh Category

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The Design

About Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd

'S e Urban Banyan dealbhadh taobh a-staigh cafaidh bèicearachd ann am Baile Naha, Okinawa. Tha an t-àite stèidhichte air craobh banyan snaidhte a tha 6000 mm de leud agus 3600 mm de dh'àirde. Tha an t-ìomhaigh a' cur còmhla bùird latha, moirtear agus plàstair ealanta, agus tha resin aotrom air a chlò-bhualadh ann an 3D a' cruthachadh nan geugan agus a' coileanadh riaghailtean sàbhailteachd teine. Cha robh cead ann airson soidhnichean air an taobh a-muigh, agus mar sin tha am beulaibh glainne 14.5 meatair a' giùlan phannalan acrylic 3 mm le duilleagan leth-thrìd-shoilleir clò-bhuailte orra. Tha solas bhon chùl a' tionndadh aghaidh na bùtha gu bhith na lanntair bhlàth air an oidhche.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Urban Banyan Dealbhadh Taobh a-staigh Cafaidh Bèicearachd a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Centered around a sculptural Banyan tree, this interior blends art and architecture to provide emotional comfort. Embracing the aesthetic of light and shadow, it creates a serene atmosphere. Overcoming strict exterior signage bans, the glass storefront functions as a City Lantern. Semi-transparent leaf prints on acrylic project a warm, organic glow onto the street at night, serving as an architectural beacon without violating building codes.
Dimensions & Packaging: Banyan Tree Artwork: 6000 mm (W) x 3600 mm (H). Acrylic Print Panels: 14500 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H).
Tags: bakery cafe, spatial design, banyan tree, organic interior, lantern facade, light and shadow, digital fabrication, mortar craft, japanese design, okinawa
Production Technology: To meet fire codes, the banyan sculpture uses a hybrid of lath boards, mortar, and artistic plaster. Complex branches integrate lightweight 3D-printed resin to reduce load. The 14.5m window features 3mm acrylic panels with semi-transparent leaf prints. Backlit for a lantern effect, it leverages western exposure, creating a dramatic interplay between the interior and twilight.
Design Challenge: Due to tenant restrictions, no exterior signage was permitted. To overcome this limitation, the design reimagined the entire window surface as a glowing lantern visible from the street, creating both a signature presence and cost efficiency without breaching the building facade rules.
Research: Research focused on material innovation to balance art with strict fire safety. We developed a lightweight structure integrating 3D-printed resin components and noncombustible mortar. We also explored reversible attachment mechanisms for the long-span acrylic window panels. This demonstrates a sustainable approach to large-scale indoor art installations, merging traditional crafts with digital fabrication.
Inspiration: In the concrete jungle of Naha City, this design reintroduces the primal comfort of nature. Inspired by the Okinawan Banyan tree (Gajumaru), revered in folklore as the abode of spirits, the space serves as a modern sanctuary. The concept visualizes the invisible 'Life Force' of the island. By integrating the organic forms of the Banyan with the play of light and shadow, the design transforms a commercial space into a spiritual shelter, offering a moment of primitive healing amidst urban hustle.
Project Duration: The project started in Nov 2024 in Naha City, Okinawa and finished in March 2025
Operation Flow: Guests enter beneath the symbolic canopy of the banyan tree and are naturally guided toward seating areas that embrace the soft western light. The filtered illumination through the acrylic leaf screens shifts subtly throughout the day, providing visitors with a tangible sense of passing time. This visual and spatial rhythm intentionally encourages people to slow their pace, breathe deeply, and experience emotional serenity while enjoying their coffee and bread.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Conception Co., Ltd., 2025.
Image Credits: Photographer: Masahiro Ishibashi